Zurich - The Heart of Europe

In my short visit, I stayed in a nice place (the Sheraton Atlantis), and managed to see the awesome shopping area on Bahnhofstrasse near the Central Train station (Hauptbahnhof). I also found a great Wine Bar downtown just off of Bahnhofstrasse (called Jules Verne Panoramabar) at the top of a tall tower that has incredible views all over Zurich.

Quick Tips:

Learn some of the local language....the question is which one? You don't know whether to speak German, French, or Italian when you approach someone....but most people know enough English to bridge the gap between my poor command of German, French and Italian.

Best Way To Get Around:

Take the time to learn how to use the trains and buses, or use hotel shuttle buses, because taxis are real expensive in Zurich. Since my stay was less than 24 hours, and I arrived on a Sunday about 2 hours before dark, I paid dearly for taxis to save time. A Taxi from Zurich Airport to the Sheraton Atlantis was a steep 60 Swiss Francs ( US) and a ride downtown (halfway back to the airport) from the hotel was 27 Swiss Francs (and back). Alternatively, the trains and buses are plentiful and cheap.

This Sheraton is one of two located in Zurich. This property, the Atlantis Sheraton, is well outside of downtown Zurich. It is located in beautiful countryside forest and farm land on a hillside that has a great view of Zurich from the front and views of green meadows and forests from the rear.

This Sheraton has over 200 rooms and suites, in two buildings on the property...the main building and a guest house connected by a walkway. I stayed in the main building, where the check-in, restaurants, and bar are. There is also an indoor pool and sauna, but I did not use it during my short stay. My rate was 185 Swiss Francs ($111 US) per night for a nice room.

The hotel also rents mountain bikes, which is a nice way to get around, but I wouldn''t go downtown on one due to the amount of car traffic.

My King room looked out the back of the property, and over beautiful green meadows with walking trails. Later in the evening, I had a sandwich and a beer at the bar in the lobby, and the food was good and the staff friendly.

The Sheraton Atlantis provides a complementary shuttle bus to the Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) downtown and to Zurich Airport, 10 and 20 minutes away respectively. Use it, because taxis are expensive. There is a train station a short walk down hill from the hotel. However, there is no one there selling tickets, so make sure you have Swiss Francs to buy tickets from vending machines.

The location is about 4 miles from downtown Zurich, and across town from Zurich''s airport. Taxis are very expensive, so learn to use the trains and/or take advantage of the Hotel''s shuttle bus. It goes to and from downtown and Zurich airport.

Jules Verne Panoramabar is a very cool Wine Bar (Weinbar) in a tower high above downtown Zurich. As its name implies, it offers panoramic views of the entire area around downtown. Also in the name, it is named after French science-fiction writer Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days, etc).

From Bahnhofstrasse (Zurich's main shopping street--see other journal entry), I spotted the panoramic tower high in the air, and had to see it. Turning the corner to Uraniastrasse, I could not find an entrance to Jules Verne, but there was a nice looking food and drink place called Brasserie Lipp on the street level.....so why not check it out?

Brasserie Lipp is a romantic French-style Brasserie with an elegant wood and brass decor. I took a quick look at their night menu and wine list, and they have a large high price French menu, and an extensive wine list. Oh....and it has the elevator entrance to Jules Verne Panoramabar. Without missing a step, I proceeded to Jules Verne's Panoramabar, since I am not really fond of French cuisine (call me crazy).

Entering the elevator, press the single button for the long ride up the tower. Exiting the elevator, there is a walkway around the tower with look-out windows at close intervals that have fantastic views of downtown Zurich and Lake Zurich.

After walking around the narrow tower, there are stairs up to the Wine Bar. Its has a bar and elevator in the center of the tower, and tables on the outside of the tower, where you can enjoy drinks, small cold appetizers (cheese, meats, bread, etc), and great views of Zurich and the surrounding area.

I had a cheese sampler that came with bread, a bottle of water, and a glass of Riesling for the tidy sum ov 52 Swiss Francs ($31 US).

Jules Verne Panoramabar has a nautical decor (fitting with the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea theme?) with portholes, nets and ropes, and its vantage point high above Zurich is like that from a hot air balloon (as in Around the World in 80 Days?).

I stumbled on to Jules Verne Panoramabar by accident in my short stay (less than 24 hours) in Zurich, and finding it was one of the high points of my stay. Go for drinks and the view. It overlooks all of Zurich. Jules Verne is open Monday through Saturday for lunch through midnight, but call if your not in the neighborhood since hours are seasonal. Remember that you have to enter through Brasserie Lipp, and they are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to midnight, and Sunday from 11:45am to 11pm. You won't find Jules Verne in any of the Zurich tourism brochures available around town.

Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich's main shopping street in downtown Zurich. It starts outside the front of the Central Train station (Hauptbahnhof), and goes a short distance (less than a mile) and ends at the north end of Lake Zurich.

Bahnhofstrasse is famous for very high-end shopping at expensive designer boutiques--for good reason. I've never seen so many watches, chocolate shops, designer clothes and accessories, and cutlery (including Swiss Army knives of every size and function).

Cars are not allowed on Bahnhofstrasse, but pedestrians and above-ground electric trains can go door-to-door among dozens (hundreds?) of shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries of all types.

Shops do not keep the same hours as US department stores, so do not assume they will be open on Saturdays and Sundays. Some also close during lunch. They do extend hours during Christmas time, and are open every other Sunday in December. Tip: If your visit is late or on a Sunday, or both, as with my visit, the shops in/under the Central Train station are open later than most other shops.

To find Bahnhofstrasse, go to Zurich, and take a taxi or train to the Central Train Station. Walk out the front of the Central Train Station, and Bahnhofstrasse (and shopping) starts. Take lots of money and don't walk into the path of the small quiet trains.